Visit of Professor Hideo Hasegawa (Niigata University) to the Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre of Al-Farabi KazN

On November 26, 2025, Professor Dr. Hideo Hasegawa, Director of the Field Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Asian Link Research Centre of Niigata University (Japan), visited the Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre of the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Management at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

During his visit, Professor Hasegawa delivered a leadership lecture, presenting the latest initiatives of Niigata Prefecture in the field of agricultural digitalization (Agri-DX) and sustainable agroproduction. In his talk, he elaborated on:

· technologies for monitoring agricultural lands using UAVs and aerial imagery;

· tractor-mounted soil analyzers capable of measuring carbon, organic matter, pH, and electrical conductivity, as well as mapping soil fertility variability;

· digital weather stations, robotics, and spatial analysis platforms for carbon fluxes, heat, and water resources;

· educational programs at Niigata University aimed at training highly qualified specialists in agroecosystems, digital agriculture, and data science.

The audience showed particular interest in the opportunities for master's and PhD students of Al-Farabi KazNU to participate in educational programs and scientific research at Niigata University, including internships, short-term visits, and involvement in international research projects.

Following the lecture, a meeting was held with the head and faculty members of the department to discuss potential areas of collaboration between Niigata University and the Department of Geography, Land Management and Cadastre. The following directions were considered:

· joint research in soil science, monitoring of soil fertility, organic carbon, and the condition of agro-landscapes;

· development of projects in sustainable agriculture, digital technologies in agroecology, and land resource management;

· student and researcher exchange programs;

· organization of joint trainings, field schools, and internships;

· participation in international grant programs and consortia.

The visit of Professor Hideo Hasegawa became an important step in strengthening the department’s international cooperation and opened new prospects for scientific collaboration in agriculture, soil science, and digital land-use technologies.